POSCO Spreads Hopes with New Community Movement in Africa and Asia

Back in the 1970s, Korea was going under a tough period of poverty where no global major cooperation like POSCO could ever be imagined to emerge from. However, it did not hold Koreans’ indomitable spirits to enhance their quality of lives and achieve the miracle of Han River. It was all possible on the basis of ‘New Community Movement’ initiative, educating and encouraging people to work happily and productively.

From 2011, POSCO brought the famous economic movement back from the past and utilized its know-hows and spirits in order to tackle poverty shadowing certain areas in Africa and Asia. ‘Hello, POSCO’ gives you POSCO’s exciting journey as a missionary of New Community Movement.

POSCO’s customized global CSR activities for different countries

Every country has different industries it needs to develop upon. For instance, Mozambique needs specialized agriculture technologies while Zimbabwe requires tailored education for the next generation farmers. New villages should be constructed for Ethiopia and New Community Movement is being adopted by the communities in Vietnam and Mongolia. POSCO listens carefully to the voices and has been giving helping hands for those who need appropriate measures to overcome currently facing difficulties. For this reason, POSCO is carefully designing New Community Movements so the communities can genuinely benefited from the corporate’s social responsibility activities in Africa and Asia.

Supporting next generation farmers’ training in Mozambique and Zimbabwe

In cooperation with the KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), POSCO is managing Agriculture Training Facilities in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, supporting those who dream of becoming proud farmers to revitalize the nations’ economy. Mr. Nelson, who is amongst the first graduates of the program, expressed his gratitude for the training he received as it changed the course of his life completely.

Before coming to this training facility, I was like a piece of white paper, with no knowledge or skills whatsoever. Now, I know how to do farming and breeding livestock. I’ve become confident of getting paid for the works I do.

Since the facilities opened their doors in February, 2012, the number of people achieving new dreams and futures is increasing in Africa. POSCO has continuously been supporting the registered students with educations for New Community Movement spirit and advanced agriculture technologies so they can economically stand on their own feet.

New Community Movement Leaders build new villages in Ethiopia

POSCO, the KOICA and Gyeongsangbuk Province jointly dispatched a volunteer group, the New Community Leaders to Ethiopia. They are visiting local villages with poor surroundings to build new fire pots and chimneys. In 2012, the News Community Leaders built about 150 fire pots in three Ethiopian villages to improve their quality of life. Also, they are teaching the people to learn how to farm, sew and breed livestock so they can have competences to earn their own livings.

Myeong-ki Hong is one of the New Community Leaders in Ethiopia. For ‘Hello, POSCO’, he shared his experience and sentiments from volunteering for the initiative.

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Q. Can you tell us about your mission in Ethiopia?

[dropcap style=”1″ size=”3″]I[/dropcap] mainly work with the locals on teaching sewing skills. The sessions are headed by an Ethiopian tutor and my job is to prepare necessary kits and set regulations for the education program. I am also in charge of accountancy to deal with banking issues. In Ethiopia, the system is not at the level you would expect and sometimes it takes more than three hours to have your turn. But, I find it quite amusing because the people working in banks are really friendly to me. Maybe they find me interesting because I am a foreigner.

Q. When did you find your stay in Ethiopia most worthwhile?

[dropcap style=”1″ size=”3″]T[/dropcap]he village and our basecamp are quite far away from each other so we need a car to move from one place to another. When we are travelling by cars, the villagers wave their hands with welcoming sentiments. It wasn’t like that when we first got here because they were not familiar with foreigners like us. The locals, who used to be uncooperative, are now working with us really well with great enthusiasm. Whenever I see this, I feel a great joy with a thought that “We are genuinely living with the locals.”

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Asia, improved living condition and quality of life

POSCO is also engaging with various parts in Asia wherever our helps are needed. POSCO is introducing a series of social responsibility activities in order to help the locals to improve their quality of life and ability for self-reliance. In Vietnam, POSCO, POSCO Vietnam, POSCO Special Steal and POSCO ICT are closely working together to construct ‘Dream Village’ in Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province since 2011.

We have also established a local development education center in Jargalant in Mongolia to help nomads living in the area to maximize their profits from farming. A remote village in Indonesia was also reached by POSCO as we worked together to repair an old school and the surroundings to improve their living condition.

POSCO’s global New Community Movement has also been selected as the superb case for CSR activities. As we have witnessed above, POSCO’s kind and loving hands are embracing Africa and Asia, delivering hopes for everyone. POSCO is planning to expand New Community Movement to other regions and ‘Hello, POSCO’ will follow the track.